Transmission control



March 17, 1953 c, w co ET AL- I 2,631,467

TRANSMISSION CONTROL Filed Nov. 2, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 March 1953 c.w. LINCOLN ET AL 2,631,467

TRANSMISSION CONTROL Filed Nov. 2, 1950 2 SHEETSVSHEET 2 i li 7? u ya;

12 M Ii' I .94!

Zhwentors Gttomegs Patented Mar. 17, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICETRANSMISSION CONTROL Application November 2, 1950, Serial No. 193,712

18 Claims. 1

This application relates to an improved gearshift control mechanism andan'improved mount ing on the steering column.

The applicants invention is illustrated in connection with a gearshiftcontrol mechanism mounted concentrically within the steering column of amotor vehicle. A hand control lever mounted in the conventional locationbeneath the steering wheel is connected to the control tube mountedconcentrically within the steering column to rotate and reciprocate thecontrol tube. The control tube extends through the steering column tothe lower end below the floor boards of the vehicle and above thesteering gear. The lower end of the control tube is supported in abearing attached to the steering column and has attached thereto aclutch element. A pair of clutch rings surround the control tube and aresupported by washers at the top and bottom. The top washer is secured tothe upper portion of the steering column and the lower washer isresiliently supported on the top edge of the lower steering columnportion which telescopes within the upper portion. This constructionprovides an automatic arrangement to take up clearance between the partsof the mechanism caused by dimensional variations within themanufacturing tolerances. The actuating levers are integrally formed onthe clutch rings and extend through a slot in the upper steering columnsection.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved andsimplified gearshift control assembly which may be easily assembled.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a gearshift controlmechanism mounted within a steering column a pair of transmissionactuating members rotatably supported within the steering column.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a gearshift controlmechanism mounted in a steering column a resilient support for thecontrol mechanism to automatically allow for variations in size of theparts of the order of the manufacturing tolerances.

A further object of the invention is to provide a transmission controlmechanism in which a rotatably mounted controlled member is laterallysupported between two sections of the steering column.

These and other objects of the invention and the manner in which theyare achieved will be more fully apparent from the appended descriptionof the preferred embodiment of the invention and the accompanyingdrawings.

Figure 1 is a partial view of a gearshift control mechanism mountedwithin a steering column with parts broken away and in section to showthe details of the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of Figure 1 taken on the line 2-2.

Figure 3 is a partial elevation of the invention taken along the line3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of Figure 1 taken on the line 4-4.

Figure 5 is a partial sectional view of Figure 1 taken on the line 5--5.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a spacer element.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a clutch element..

The gearshift control mechanism mounted concentrically within thesteering column of the automotive steering gear mechanism illustrates apreferred application of the invention to a conventional automotiveinstallation. The invention may be employed in the controls for othermachinery where a control tube housed within a cylindrical column isalternately clutched to one of two rotating levers mounted within thecolumn. The preferred embodiment which incorporates this structurewithin an automotive steering column has been illustrated in Figure 1.The cylindrical steering column has an upper portion II! which issecured to the automobile frame in the conventional manner. The steeringshaft 12 is supported by a bearing (not shown) attached to a cylindricalextension 32 of the steer ing column Ill and located concentricallywithin the steering column. The control tube I4 is mountedconcentrically between the steering shaft l2 and the steering column l6.At the upper end of the steering column [0, a hollow hand control leveri6 is suitably mounted on the steering column and interconnected to thecontrol tube I4 to rotate the control tube and to axially reciprocatethe .control tube. The hand control lever I6 may be connected to thecontrol tube l4 by a number of known mechanisms. One form ofinterconnecting mechanisms between the hand control lever and thecontrol tube which has been used for illustrative purposes is completelydisclosed in the copending application S. N. 197,956, filed November 28,1950, of Clovis W. Lincoln, Philip B. Zeigler, and Henry D. Spiekermanentitled Transmission Control. The main features of this construction asillustrated inFigure 1 of the accompanying drawings consists of a bowlmember 18 rotatably mounted on the top end of the steering column I0 bybearings (not shown). The hand control lever i6 is pivotally connectedto the side of the bow] It by a suitable pivoted joint (not shown). Acylindrical reinforcing member is secured to the top end of the controltube i l by suitable means such as welding 22. The reinforcing member 26has a suitable threaded aperture 24 to receive the threaded end 25 ofarm 28. The arm 28 which is thus fixed to the control tube M extendsoutwardly through an aperture 30 in the steering column extension 32 andthrough an aperture in the bowl is and into the hollow portion of thehandle it. The arm 28. has a rounded. ball 34 at the end which provides.a bearing surface for the pivotal connection between, the arm 1 and thelever [6. Thus in the conventional man.- ner movement of the arm itaxial with the steering column will axially reciprocate the control rodl4 and rotary movement of the arm 16 about the steering column axis willrotate the control rod l4 about the steering column axis.

The control tube 14 is cylindrical and extends down to the lower end ofthe. steering column In Where a clutching mechanism is provided toconnect the control tube to either of two levers rotatably mounted onthe steering column. Adjacent the lower end of the control tube M acylindrical clutching member All is secured by welding 42 to the controltube. Suitable stop means such as flange 44 protrudes from the top edgeof the cylindrical clutch member 49 as illustrated in detail in FigureI. Ad acent the center of the clutch member cc, two diametricallyopposed clutching dogs 46 extends from the cylindrical surface of theclutch member 48. It

7 will also be noted that the clutch member has an outer cylindricalbearing surface for a purpose to be described below. These dogs mav besuitably formed on the cylindrical clutching member by bending thematerial within the base portion of a U-shaped slit outwardly to formthe clutching dog 46.

An upper clutch ring 4-8 and a lower clutch ring 50 surround theclutching member Ml and are supported in the steering column l5. sidesurface of the clutch rin s or controlled members are finished to provde a cvlindrical bearing surface to rotate and slide on the hearingsurface of the clutch member ill. However it will also be appreciatedthat the clutch rings 48 and to may have bearing engagement with thesteering column Iii or both the clutch member and the steering column.As illustrated in Figure 1, the upper clutch ring 48 has an integral arm52 attached thereto and the lower clutch ring 553 has a similar integralarm 54 attached thereto. Suitable bushings 55 are provided in the endsof these arms for connection through a rod or linkage mechanism to thetransmission. The clutch ring .8 has diametrically opposed slots 58which engage the clutch dogs 46 and the lower clutch ring 58 hasdiametrically opposed slots 6! for similarly engaging the clutch dogs4%. The lower end of the upper steering column portion it has a recess5?. extending inwardly from the lower edge to provide an outlet openingfor the control levers 52 and 53. The upper clutch ring 48 is supportedat the upper side by a support washer t l. This washer 64 as illustratedin Figure 2 has a generally annular shape with diametrically opposedslots 65 which allow the washers to be inserted in its position past thelocking clutch dogs it. The outside periphery of the washer has agenerally circular shape with a small arcuate protrusion 65 extend-ingthrough- The inu 4: out the arcuate length of the recess 62 and merelyuniformly increasing the width of the washer by the thickness of thewall of the steering column is. The extension (58 on the annular washer64 engages the upper edge of the recess 82 and thus in conjunction witha tongue i0 bent inwardly from the steering column iii opposite therecess 62 provides a support to prevent upward displacement of theannular support washer B4.

The extension 68, in addition to providing a support by its extendinginto recess 62, prevents rotary movement of the washer at in thesteering column It. A separator or hearing washer 12 is positionedbetween the upper clutch ring 48 and the lower clutch ring 5% to providea bearing between the clutch rings. It will be seen that the bearingwasher '52 has annular undulations Hi to provide a spring action so thatslack between the clutch rings may be resiliently taken up by thebearing washer 72. Referring to Figure 4 it will be seen that hearingwasher l2. hasv opposed enlarged recesses It so that the clutch dogs 46will clear the bearing washer E2 in any rotative position used to shiftgears. The bearing washer 12 also has an. arcuate extension is whichex,- tends into the recess opening 62 a distance equal to the wallthickness of the steering column Ill to prevent rotation of the bearingwasher.

The clutch ring 551 is supported on its lower side by a lower supportwasher 843 which is the same as upper support washer 54. The supportwasher St. has an annular projection 82 which fits into the recess 52and extends a distance equal to the wall thickness of the steeringcolumn Hi. This projection engages the sides of recess 62 to preventrotation of the. support washer 80. The lower support washer as isresiliently supported to automatically take up the clearance caused bydimensional variations within the manufacturing tolerances of thestructural members of this assembly. The lower portion 88 of thesteering column telescopically fits within the lower end of the upperportion iii of the steering column. A circumferential locating plate 95!is secured to the side wall of the lower portion 88 of the steeringcolumn by suitable means such as spot or edge welding 92. The 10- catingplate 90 slides into the lower portion of the recess 82 0f the uppersteering column 18 and provides a cylindrical seat for clamp 34 when thelower steering column portion 01' part 88 is fitted within the uppersteering column portion It. As shown in Figure 2, the clamp 94 engages.the outside of the lower end of the upper steering column l0 and thelocating member 96 and clamps these elements into engagement with theupper end of the lower steering column at. The clamp 94 is aconventional ring clamp with. ears 9% and a fastening bolt 98 tocontract the clamp about thev steering column. A spring seat and bearingm mber .32 having a. generalhr cylindrical main body portion ispositioned within the lower steering portion 88 of the steering column.The seat member 182 has at its upper end an outwardly directed annularflange Hi4 having a width equal to the thickness of the Wall of thelower portion of the steering column 88. The flange lu l seats on thetop edge of the lower portion 83 of the steering column and provides asupport and securing means for the seat member I52. At the lower end ofthe seat member H32 an inwardly directed annular flange I05 which mayhave seat tongues I08 upwardly depressed from the metal engages thebottom of coil spring I10. This spring is continuously under a highcompression and engages the lower side of the lower support washer 80.Thus the assembly consisting of the support washers and the clutch ringsis constantly under pressure to eliminate all unnecessary clearance. Atthe inner edge of the inwardly directed flange Hi6 on the spring seatmember I02 there is also an axial flange extension I 52 which provides abearing for the lower end of the control tube I4.

The steering column I is deformed to provide an inwardly projectingannular ridge I M just above the opening 62 for the levers 52 and 54.The ridge I It provides a support above the spring seat H6. The annularspring sealt H6 may have at its inner edge an axially directedcylindrical flange 8 which not only helps to locate the spring on theseat He but also provides additional bearing support for the controltube Ila. A coil spring I29 under compression seats at one end on thespring seat I 56 and at the other end engages the upper stop flange M onthe clutch member attached to the control tube I4. Thus the control tubeI4 is continuously urged downwardly. In order to prevent shock and noisean annular rubber bumper I22 is positioned between the stop flange 4'4and the upper support washer 64 which provides an abutment for the stopflange 44.

The control mechanism consists of a rotatably and reciprocatabl mountedcontrol tube mounted on suitable bearings with the steering columnstructure Ill. The control tube I4 is suitibly connected to a handcontrol lever I6 which is mounted on the bowl structure Is at the top ofthe steering column for rotary movement about the steering column axis,and for reciprocating movement axially of the steering column. The handcontrol lever I6 is suitably pivoted at its inner end to a bowlstructure I8 which is rotatably mounted on the steering column. The handlever is also pivotally connected intermedime its length to an arm 28which is rigidly fixed to the upper end of the control tube I4. Thuswhen the hand control lever it is rotated, the whole assembly consistingof the hand control lever It, the arm 28, the bowl I8 and the controltube I4 is rotated about the steering column axis. When the hand controllever I 6 is reciprocated, it pivots about the pivotal connectionbetween the hand control lever and the bowl I8 and raises and lowers theouter end of the arm 28. Since this arm is rigidly connected to thecontrol tube I4, the control tube is reciproc'ated along the steeringcolumn axis. At the lower end of the control tube, a'clutching membertill, having clutch dogs 46 and a cylindrical bearing surface, issecured to the tube. The clutch dogs 46 are moved from the slot 58 ofthe clutch ring A8 to the slot iii of the clutch ring 50 byreciprocating movement of the control tube I 4. Thus reciprocating thehand lever I6 and the control tube I4 selects whether lever 52 or 54will be actuated to shift gears in the transmission. Then when the handcontrol lever I6 is rotated, the lever which has previously beenselected will be rotated in the same direction as the hand control leverI6 is rotated to shift the selected gears. Thus when the clutching dogis in engagement with the slot 53, the lever 52 will be rotated and whenthe dog is in engagement with the slot 60, the lever 54 will be rotated.When the levers rotate, their clutch ring portion has an innercylindricalv bearing surface which bears on the outer cylindricalbearing surface of the clutch member 40.

In order that this mechanism may be easily assembled, the upper supportwasher 64 has oppositely disposed slots 66 which allow the washer to bemoved past the clutching dogs 46 of the clutch member 40. However, whenthe upper support washer 64 is placed in its final position asdetermined by the extension 68 fitting into the recess 62', the slots 66are rotated 96 from the clutch dogs 46 as best illustrated in Figure 2.Thus the support washer 64 in addition to providing a support for theclutch rin 48 will prevent excessive movement of the clutch member 40 bylimiting the upper movement of the clutch dogs 46. The bearing andspacer washer 12 has enlarged slots "I6 so that it will not interferewith the movement of the clutch dogs 46. Though it is not necessary inthe assembly of the device, it is practical to make washers and 64identical and thus washer 89 will generally have slots located at 90from normal position of the locking dogs 46. The lower washer 80 has asimilar extension 82 which prevents rotation. If due to the normalvariations within the manufacturing tolerances of the steering columnstructure, the upper edge I04 of the spring seat does not engage thelower support washer 80, the spring I It will engage the support washerand thus support the clutch and lever assembly. In this way all thesteering column assemblies may be made exactly the same length thoughthere is some variation in the dimensions of the structural part of thesteering column and transmission control assembly. It is also pointedout that these variations will not create a loose fit in the support andbearing members for the levers 52 and 54. The member I02 provides a seatfor spring IIO which holds the lever and clutch ring assembly inposition and provides a lower bearingmernber for the end of the controltube I 4. The control tube It is also resiliently held in its lowerposition by a spring I20. Thus if the control mechanism is in neutral,that is when the slots 58 and B0 of clutch rings 48 and 50 are alignedthen the control tube will be automatically returned to the lowerposition by the spring 126. When the control tube is not in neutralposition, the clutch dogs 46 will engage the upper surface of the lowerring 50 and this will prevent the spring I20 from returning the lever toits lower position.

This detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the inventionis not to be considered as limiting the invention since manymodifications will occur to those skilled in the art within the scope ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a control mechanism, a support column having two parts mounted forrelative axial movement, a control member mounted for rotary andreciprocating movement on said support column, a controlled member,means to rotatably support said controlled member, and means having onesupport mounted on one part of said support column and another supportmounted on another part of said support column to laterally support saidcontrolled member on said steering column.

2. In a control mechanism, a support column having two parts mounted forrelative axial movement, a control member mounted for rotary andreciprocating movement on said support column, a controlled member,means on said control member to rotatably support said controlledmember, and means having one resilient support on one part of saidsupport column and another support mounted on another part of saidsupport column to laterally support said controlled memher on saidsteering column.

3. In a control mechanism, a support column having two parts mounted forrelative axial movement, a control member mounted for rotary andreciprocating movement on said support column, a controlled member,means 011 said control member to rotatably support said controlledmember, and means to laterally support said controlled member on saidsteering column consisting of a fixed support on one part and aresilient support on the other part to automatically take up forvariances with the manufacturing tolerances.

4. In a control mechanism, a support column having an upper and a lowerpart mounted for relative axial movement, means to secure said upper andlower support column parts together,

a control member mounted for rotary and reciprocating movement on saidsupport column, a controlled member, means to rotatably support saidcontrolled member, and means to laterally support said controlled memberon steering column consisting of an abutment on the upper part and anabutment on the lower part of the support column.

5. In a control mechanism, a support column, a control member mountedwithin said column for rotating and reciprocating movement, a clutchmember mounted and secured to said control member, a pair of controlledmembers surrounding said control member, clutch means on said controlledmembers selectively engageable by said clutch member, and meansresiliently engaging said controlled members and said support column totake up excessive clearance and to support the said controlled memberson said support column.

6. In a control mechanism, a support column, a control member mountedwithin said column for rotating and reciprocating movement, a clutchmember on said control member, a pair of controlled members, clutchmeans on said controlled members selectively engageable by said clutchmember, and means resiliently engaging said controlled members and saidsupport column to take up excessive clearance and to support the saidcontrolled members on said support column.

'7. In a control mechanism, a support column,

a control member mounted within said column for rotating andreciprocating movement, a clutch member on said control member, a pairof controlled members surrounding said control member, clutch means onsaid controlled members selectively engageable by said clutch member, asupport member engaging the outer surface of each of said controlledmembers, one of said support members being fixed to said support column,and a spring seated on said support column and resiliently engaging theother of said support members and holding said last mentioned supportmember in engagement with the adjacent controlled member.

8. In a control mechanism, a support column, a control member mountedwithin said column for rotating and reciprocating movement, a clutchmember mounted and secured to said control member, a pair of clutchrings surrounding said control member, clutch means on said clutch ringsselectively engageable by said clutch member, a lever connected to eachof said clutch rings, a support engaging the outer surface of each ofsaid clutch rings, one of said supports being fixed to said supportcolumn, and aspring seated on said support column and resilientlyengaging the other of said supports and holding said last mentionedsupport in engagement with the adjacent clutch ring.

9. In a control mechanism, a support column, a control member mountedwithin said column for rotating and reciprocating movement, a clutchmember mounted and secured to said control member, a pair of clutchrings surrounding said control member, clutch means on said clutch ringsselectively engageable by said clutch member, a lever connected to eachof said clutch rings, a support washer engaging the outer surface ofeach of said clutch rings, a resilient bearing washer engaging the innersurfaces of said clutch rings, one of said support washers being fixedto said support column, and a spring seated on said support column andresiliently engaging the other of said support washers and holding saidlast mentioned Washer in engagement with the adiacent clutch ring.

10. In a control mechanism, a support column, a control member mountedwithin said column, a pair of controlled members, interengaging clutchmeans on said control member and said pair of controlled members toselectively engage either of said controlled members, a first supportfixed to said support column engaging one of said pair of controlledmembers, a second support engaging the other of said pair of controlledmembers, a spring seat supported on said support column, and a spring onsaid spring seat engaging said second support to hold said controlledmembers together and in position in said support column.

11. In a control mechanism, a support column having an upper and a lowerportion, means to secure said portions together, a control membermounted within said column, a pair of controlled members having rotarybearing engagement with said control member, interengaging clutch meanson said control member and said controlled members to selectively engageeither of said controlled members, a first support on said supportcolumn engaging the outside of one of said controlled members, a secondsupport engaging the outside of the other controlled member, a springseat supported on said lower portion of the support column, and a springon said spring seat engaging said second support to hold said controlledmembers together and in position in said support column.

12. In a control mechanism, a support column having an upper and a loweraligned portion, means to secure said portions together, a controlmember mounted within said column, bearing means to rotatably andreciprocally support said control member, a pair of controlled members,interengaging clutch means on said control member and said controlledmembers to selectively engage either of said controlled members, a firstsupport fixed to said support column engaging one of said controlledmembers, a second support engaging the other of said controlled members,a spring seat supported on said lower portion of the support column, anda spring on said spring seat engaging said second support to hold saidcontrolled members together and in position in said support column.

13. In a control mechanism, a support column having an upper and a lowerportion in telescoping relation, means to secure said portions together,a control member concentrically mounted within said column, bearingmeans to rotatably and reciprocally support said control member, a pair0:" controlled members surrounding said control member and having rotarybearing engagement therewith, interengaging clutch means on said controlmember and said pair of controlled members to selectively engage eitherof said controlled members, a first support fixed to said upper portionof said support column engaging the outside ofone of said controlledmembers, a second support engaging the outside of the othercontrolledmember, a spring seat supported on the topedge of said lowerportion of the support column and a spring engaging said spring seat andsaidsecond support.

14. In a control mechanism, a support column having an upper and a lowerportion in adjustable telescoping relation, means to secure saidportions together, a control member concentrically mounted within saidcolumn, bearing means to rotatably and reciprocally support said controlmember, a pair of rings surrounding said control member and havingrotary bearing engagement therewith, interengaging clutch means on saidcontrol member and said pair of rings to selectively engage either ofsaid rings, a first support fixed to fsaid upper portion of said supportcolumn engaging the otuside of one of said rings, and a second supportengaging the outside of the other ring and supported on said lowerportion of the support column.

15. In a control mechanism, a support column having an upper and a lowerportion in telescoping relation, means to secure said portions together,a control member concentrically mounted within said column, bearingmeans to rotatably and reciprocally support said control member, a pairof rings surrounding said control member and having rotary bearingengagement therewith, interengaging clutch means on said control memberand said pair of rings to selectively engage either of, said rings, a,first support fixed to said support column engaging the outside of oneof said rings, a second support engaging the outside of the other ring,a spring seat supported on the top edge of said lower portion of thesupport column, and a spring on said spring seat engaging said secondsupport to hold said rings together and in position in said supportcolumn.

16. In a control mechanism, a support column having an upper and a lowerportion in telescoping relation, an opening in said support column,means to secure said portions together, a control member concentricallymounted within said column, bearing means to rotatably and reciprocallysupport said control member, a pair of rings surrounding said controlmember and having rotary bearing {Q engagement therewith, interengagingclutch 'nieans on said control member and said pair of fings toselectively engage either of said rings, a pair of controlled meansattached to said rings and extending through said opening, a firstsupport fixed to said support column engaging the outside of one of saidrings, a second support 10 engaging the outside of the other ring, aspring seat supported on said support column, and a spring on saidspring seat engaging said second support to hold said rings together andin position in said support column.

17. In a control mechanism, a support column, an opening in said supportcolumn, a control member concentrically mounted within said column,bearing means to rotatably and reciprocally support said control member,a pair of rings surrounding said control member and having rotarybearing engagement therewith, interengaging clutch means on said controlmember and said pair of rings to selectively engage either of saidrings, a pair of controlled means attached to said rings and extendingthrough said opening, a first support fixed to said support columnengaging the outside of one of said rings, a second support engaging theoutside of the other ring, said supports extending into said opening toprevent rotation, a spring seat supported on said support column, and aspring on said spring seat engaging said second support to hold saidrings together and in position in said support column.

18. In a control mechanism, a support column, an opening in said supportcolumn, a control member concentrically mounted within said column, apair of controlled members having rotary bearing engagement with thecontrol member, interengaging clutch means on said control mem-- ber andsaid pair of controlled members to selectively engage either of saidcontrolled members, a pair of controlled means attached to saidcontrolled members and extending through said opening, a first supportfixed to said support column engaging the outside of one of saidcontrolled members, a second support engaging the outside of the othercontrolled member, said supports extending into said opening to preventrotation, a spring seat supported on said support column, and a springon said spring seat engaging said second support to hold said controlledmembers together and in position in said support column.

CLOVIS W. LINCOLN. PHILIP B. ZEIGLER. I). RALPH A. MALONE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,170,794 Chayne Aug. 29, 19392,231,740 Wharam Feb. 11, 1941 2,282,962 Hawkins et a1 May 12, 19422,301,484 Wahlberg Nov. 10, 1942 2,334,421 Leach Nov. 16, 1943

